Arm and hand receiving support

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for receiving the taped hand and forearm of a patient receiving an intravenous hypodermic injection so that the palm and fingers comfortably grasp a slightly flexible ball member and the hand heel and forearm rest in a conforming trough.

United States Patent Richard C. Wresch P.O. Box 842, Loma Linda. Calif. 92354 755,324

Aug. 26, 1968 July 6, 1971 Inventor Appl. No Filed Patented ARM AND HAND RECEIVING SUPPORT 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 128/133, 128/214 Int. Cl A61t13/00 Field of Search 128/133,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,693,794 11/1954 Neville 128/205 3,256,880 6/1966 Caypinar 128/133 3,295,518 1/1967 Hazlewood et al. 128/133 Primary Examiner-Adele M. Eager ABSTRACT: An apparatus for receiving the taped hand and forearm of a patient receiving an intravenous hypodermic injection so that the palm and fingers comfortably grasp a slightly flexible ball member and the hand heel and forearm rest in a conforming trough.

ARM AND HAND RECEIVING SUPPORT One of the objects of the invention resides in a lightweight slightly flexible hand and forearm receiving device to which an intravenous needle may be taped to the patient so that the arm may be moved to assume comfortable position without disrupting the needle.

All of the devices heretofore known to which a patient's hand and arm are taped for intravenous injection are not only uncomfortable but they do not permit arm movement without changing or affecting the needle position and operation.

The fundamental theory of the present invention is to provide a very lightweight slightly flexible hand and arm conforming intravenous patient needle-injecting device that will give greatly increased comfort without affecting operation of the medical apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide a specially designed arm and hand receiving support for intravenous injections that will permit a greater degree of hand and arm movement that will safely overcome to a large extent the continuous boredom of intravenous injection.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings herewith wherein:

F IG. 1 is a perspective view of the device taped to the patients arm and in actual use;

F l6. 2 is a side elevational view of the device;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a plan view from above of the device; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown, a relatively thin slightly flexible molded hand and arm receiving device is shown taped in a conventional manner to a patient's arm for intravenous injection. The device is preferably made of a satisfactory plastic material, although not necessarily so. The apparatus is very light in weight so that an arm-turning movement is almost effortless. A slightly flexible ball is curved to form an easy and comfortable grasp by the patients palm and fingers. The ball 10 merges into a concave section 12 for the heel of the patient's hand and extending therefrom is a shallowed trough l4 conforming to the shape of the forearm. The base and sides of the device are gradually tapered at 16 to increase the comfortable position of the hand and arm and permit easy turning or other movement without seriously affecting the position and operation of the taped intravenous needle 16.

It is true that the size and shape of the described elements can be changed slightly to compensate for difierent patients in the various groups without changing the overall theory of invention.

As far as operation is concerned, the arm and hand are taped to a very lightweight conforming device that may either be disposable or washed and cleansed without affecting shape or use. The arrangement is such that a flexing of the fingers and hand is permitted to overcome tension. The entire device may be elevated easily and the arm moved without greatly interferring with comfort or actual medical utility of the intravenous needle.

Actually, the device is a boon to hospital or other type patients and may be constructed in a molded manner at relatively low cost. A degree of porosity is generally required but not absolute.

While I have described in considerable detail what I believe to be the preferred fonn of my invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the shape and arrangement of the several parts without departing from the broad scope of my invention as defined in the following claims. I claim:

1. A hospital appliance for supporting the taped hand and forearm of a patient during intravenous injection, comprising:

a slightly tapered and troughed armrest rising toward and formin a part of;

a slightlyflexible hand and finger grasping ball position; and

a slightly concave section between the ball and trough.

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 which is slightly flexible overall for comfort and formed of a relatively thin plastic or other material to provide a device of lightweight and easily movable to various positions to relieve tension without disrupting the intravenous operation.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 which is disposable and may be slightly porous in a manner to permit continuous use without intermittent cleansing. 

1. A hospital appliance for supporting the taped hand and forearm of a patient during intravenous injection, comprising: a slightly tapered and troughed armrest rising toward and forming a part of; a slightly flexible hand and finger grasping ball position; and a slightly concave section between the ball and trough.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 which is slightly flexible overall for comfort and formed of a relatively thin plastic or other material to provide a device of lightweight and easily movable to various positions to relieve tension without disrupting the intravenous operation.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2 which is disposable and may be slightly porous in a manner to permit continuous use without intermittent cleansing. 